Caitlin Clark ruled out May 20

Caitlin Clark did not play for the Indiana Fever on Wednesday, May 20, after the team ruled her out before tipoff with back stiffness and soreness. Indiana still beat the Portland Fire 90-73 in Indianapolis, improving to 3-2. The announcement came less than two hours before the game, according to the WNBA game recap and multiple media reports. Aliyah Boston returned to the lineup and helped Indiana extend its home winning streak to two games. ### When was Clark ruled out, and what did the team say? The Fever announced Clark’s absence shortly before Wednesday night’s game against Portland. CBS Sports reported the team said Clark would miss the game because of a back injury, and the WNBA’s game recap said she was ruled out less than two hours before tipoff. ESPN and other outlets described the issue as back stiffness and soreness. (wnba.com) The late change drew attention because Clark had not been listed on earlier injury reports, according to CBS Sports. ### How did Indiana respond without Clark on the floor? Aliyah Boston scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds in her return as Indiana beat Portland by 17 points. (cbssports.com) Kelsey Mitchell added 21 points, according to the WNBA game summary. The Fever moved to 3-2 with the win, while Portland fell to 2-3. Indianapolis Star coverage said the result gave Indiana a two-game home winning streak. (cbssports.com) ### Why did Boston’s return matter so much? Boston’s return gave Indiana a frontcourt focal point on a night when Clark was unavailable. The WNBA recap identified Boston as the game’s leading scorer, and Indianapolis Star coverage said she powered the Fever past Portland in her first game back in the lineup. (wnba.com) Indiana’s offense also got support from Mitchell and Tyasha Harris, whose seven assists were highlighted in WNBA video coverage from the game. (wnba.com) ### Was this Clark’s first missed game of the season? Wednesday’s absence was Clark’s first missed game of the 2026 season, according to the WNBA game summary. (wnba.com) That made the late scratch more notable for a team that has built much of its attack around her ballhandling and scoring. Clark remained listed as active on her ESPN player page as of Thursday, but no updated timetable for her return was included in the reports reviewed. (wnba.com) ### What happens next for Indiana? Indiana’s next scheduled game is Friday, May 22, against the Golden State Valkyries at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, according to CBS Sports’ team schedule listing. Clark’s status for that game had not been publicly updated in the sources reviewed. (wnba.com) The Fever will enter that game on a two-game home winning streak after victories over Seattle and Portland. (espn.com) Any further update on Clark is likely to come through the team’s next injury report or pregame availability on Friday. (indystar.com) (cbssports.com)